Florida Highway Patrol Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Travel
AAA predicts this to be the busiest Labor Day travel weekend in three years, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Trends are similar to the busy Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends this year. To help keep travelers safe on the roads, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are reminding drivers to exercise caution this Labor Day weekend to ensure all Floridians Arrive Alive. They recently posted the following information and tips on their website:
According to FLHSMV data, last year 4,016 crashes occurred from the Friday before Labor Day through Labor Day across Florida. During this four-day period, there were 41 fatalities from crashes – eight of which involved drugs and/or alcohol.
Crash Data* for Labor Day Weekend 2021
| Fri. 9/3/2021 | Sat. 9/4/2021 | Sun. 9/5/2021 | Mon. 9/6/2021 | Total | |
| Total Crashes | 1,343 | 999 | 886 | 788 | 4,016 |
| Total Fatalities | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 41 |
| Total Serious Bodily Injuries | 54 | 34 | 46 | 37 | 171 |
*All data is preliminary as of 8/23/2022. Crash counts are for distinct events; Fatalities and SBIs are distinct person counts.
“FHP troopers will be out in force to remove impaired drivers and provide services to motorists who need assistance while traveling,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “No matter how you plan to celebrate this weekend, never drive impaired and always follow the rules of the road. Let’s make this a safe and happy Labor Day for all Floridians and visitors.”
FLHSMV and FHP offer the following tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday weekend:
- Don’t drive impaired. If you are planning to have alcoholic beverages, plan to have a designated driver or ride share service get you home safely. Never drive drug impaired.
- If you see an impaired or aggressive driver, call *FHP (*347) or 911.
- Obey speed limits and practice courtesy on the highway.
- Buckle up. Your seat belt is your vehicle’s best safety feature.
- ATVs and off-road vehicles are to be driven on unpaved roadways – never the highway.
- Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and mind on driving.
- Get plenty of rest before you get behind the wheel. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
To read the full press release, click here.
